Under the terms of the three-year contract, AT&T will serve as the primary network and data services provider to First State Bank & Trust.

Leveraging AT&T's Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) network, First State Bank & Trust's Internet Protocol (IP)-enabled Virtual Private Network (VPN) service is a fully managed network solution. The service has secure, any-to-any connectivity and is accessible simultaneously from all First State Bank & Trust locations, and expanded bandwidth supports the company's multiple locations. In addition, the bank will be able to take advantage of online reporting, Service Level guarantees and Traffic Prioritization using 4 Classes of Service (COS).

"AT&T's unified network platform will enable us to not only better protect our customer's assets, it will enhance the customer's online and in-person banking experiences," said Harry Wheeler, senior vice president of First State Bank & Trust. "These are benefits that our customers expect, and the solution provided by AT&T will help us continue to meet and exceed those expectations."

Each First State Bank & Trust location will enjoy the benefit of AT&T's highly secure VPN services, which will allow First State Bank & Trust to streamline applications and to improve and prioritize companywide operations. Additionally, with the increased bandwidth, the company will have the long-term scalability to incorporate future changes and expansion, including a new bank that is scheduled to open in 2008.